Local brewers take 20 medals at GABF

Pizza Ports in Carlsbad and O.B. lead the pack

Led by the Pizza Port chain, San Diego County breweries won a record 20 medals at Denver’s Great American Beer Festival on Saturday.

Pizza Port Carlsbad and its brewing team, led by Jeff Bagby, was named large brewpub of the year — for the third consecutive year.

Ocean Beach Pizza Port and its brewers, led by Yiga Miyashiro, took small brewpub of the year honors — another notable feat, as the O.B. outlet has only been open since May 2010.

This was the 30th annual festival, which has become the nation’s largest and most prestigious showcase for brewers and beers. The three-day event climaxes with the results of the annual competition. This year, the contest drew a record number of beers (3,930) and breweries (526) vying for honors in 83 categories.